Chalking it up....

We needed a space to keep track of the planting schedule - I didnt think keeping a large flip chart in the middle of the living room would be very feng shui (or more likely, it would get torn down by our toddler).


Before: Blank wall in the mudroom.

The wall in our mudroom leading into the kitchen was the perfect useable space.

I found a great product, chalkboard paint, that can turn any wall into a chalkboard. I purchased a quart from the Home Depot for $9.95.


After applying 2 coats of paint (you should wait 4 hours in between applications) and waiting 3 days (being impatient, I wrote on the wall the same day) you can now use your wall as a chalkboard!


After: New chalkboard wall!

Now we can use the wall for all kinds of planning and organizing needs!

After: Using our board!

Thanks for checking in!

Seeds on their way!

I placed the order for our seeds from FEDCO today - they should arrive in 2 weeks. Then begins the planting of the seeds (indoors). We plan on creating an indoor shelving/planting area in our living room by our big, south facing window...

(Our living room - when we remodeled our house)

I will be constructing shelves in the large, middle window - so the plants can capture as much sunlight as possible during these winter months. Then, come spring, we will transplant them outside.

Making cheese!

We wouldnt be a "real" farm if we didnt have a cow...so....*dramatic drum roll*.....I guess we won't be running a "real" farm. (*laughing*) But we do have a great dairy supplier in Connecticut, where we get fresh, pasteurized milk. And it's from this milk, that we are going to be making our own cheese!



The New England Cheesemaking Co. is one of the most reputable cheesemaking companies/farms in the country - and they just so happen to be located in Massachusetts! You can attend a cheesemaking class, buy supplies, books, instructional dvds and learn about the great art of making cheese!


I have ordered the Basic Cheese Making Kit and look forward to trying my hand at cheesemaking. (More to come on this!)


Why make your own cheese?

1. Homemade cheese contains no artificial ingredients or colorings (like annatto, which has been linked to allergic reactions). Its an easy way to stay away from products made with GMO's.

2. Its an easy, fun skill to learn! (and what better way to impress guests at a dinner party..."I MADE this cheese!") Plus, its a great activity to teach children!

3. Making cheese makes you more aware and responsible about where your food comes from - particularly your milk. It helps to establish a connection between you and local farmers and cows.

4. Its far less expensive that buying cheese in the store! With only a few supplies needed - you can make a variety of cheese in your own kitchen.



Check out this great video on how to make your own mozzarella cheese in about 30 minutes at home: (click on the cheese)


Thanks for checking in!

Sunday morning playlist.

Its a snowy morning here on the Cape. A nice morning to relax with the paper, a cup of coffee and some good music. Enjoy!



`

Hope you're all having a nice Sunday!

Thanks for checking in!

Watching over the garden.

Gargoyles have been a part of architectural history since the days of the ancient Greek and Egyptian empires. Though some gargoyles have a fearsome appearance, their use is thought to be far more altruistic. According to the mythological explanations surrounding their history, gargoyles have the power to ward off evil spirits. What better "protector" of your garden?!

I'm in the process of finding the perfect stone creature for our garden...a garden buddy that we can name (probably something like Dr. Stonehurst or Granite Gary or Bob).




Criteria for our garden gargoyles:
- No scary faces!
It can have huge fangs/claws, but as long as its smiling, I'll be happy. (funny, happy, whimsical creatures) I am really freaked out by disturbing faces...it all goes back to the time when I was a small child and saw the movie "It." Oh, Pennywise...how you haunted my dreams for years...and also helped to fuel my hatred for clowns.

- Wings!
I like winged creatures very much (as I have an affinity for birds) - so anything with wings is a plus. Owls, griffins (not Peter Griffin), horses (Pegasus)...all good choices.

- No fairies!
Although they are cute and all...I am not into fairies (yes, I know they have wings!)...perhaps it goes back to the time when I was a small child and saw the movie "Fern Gully".....

If you find any fun, happy, non-freaky gargoyles - please let me know! If you find one, you can name it when it goes in our garden.

Thanks for checking in!

Here comes the sun.... Do do do do.......

(No, I'm not a big Beatles fan - but I do like that song...it reminds me of my Dad playing guitar when I was a kid...but I digress....)

Looking ahead to planting our large garden this spring - I was thinking about planting on the south-west side of our house in an area that gets lots of sun exposure (and is far away from where our four dogs play). Its a considerably large area - about 30'x20' that slopes down towards the woods (fine...its not woods, its a swampy area with some trees, grape vines, beach grasses growing in it). The only problem I foresee is that we have two large pine trees that shelter about 25% of this area and I was wondering if I could plant anything in this shady area.

*Quick! To the library!*
Well, not really - I'm not living in the stone age and I obviously have the internet...so I just used the all-mighty Google for help....and here's what I came up with....

There isn't a vegetable that will grow in full, dense shade...however, there are a few veggies that can grow with a minimal amount of sun (3-6 hours) daily. Without constant sunshine, these plants will also require LESS watering (a plus!).

Arugula*
Broccoli*
Beets
Brussels Sprouts*
Beans*
Cauliflower*
Endive*
Kale
Lettuce*
Mustard Greens
Peas*
Swiss Chard*
Spinach*

*Items we are planning on growing



Basically, the rule of (green) thumb is this:
Full Sun: If you grow a plan for the FRUIT or ROOT
Partial Sun: If you grow for LEAVES, STEMS, or BUDS

Thanks for checking in!

Save your egg cartons!

Since we have 9 chickens on the way, we are going to need a surplus of egg cartons for our eggs. **So local friends, please save your egg cartons for us!**

You can also recycle your egg cartons for other uses:

Christmas Ornaments: Keep your ornaments safe all year long (when they're not hanging on your tree).

Start a Garden From Seed: Fill the cups of a paper egg carton with soil and place a seed in each one. Once the seedlings have sprouted and you’re free of the final frost of the year, simply snip each cup free and pop them straight into the soil. The cardboard will decompose as your young garden grows.

Sorting and Storage for Small Items: Sort and store coins, nails, screws, nuts and bolts, buttons, not to mention golf balls or jewelry.

Fire Starter: Add lint from your dryer or sawdust to each cup of a paper carton and pour melted candle wax over it. Tear a cup free when you need a quick fire starter.

Candles: Make scented candles. Melt wax in a double boiler. Add scents (from a candle shop) and old crayons for color. Put the wick in the bottom of each egg cup. Tie on a small washer to keep it on the bottom. Pour in the wax, holding up the wick. After wax has set, remove the eggcup.

Desk Organizer: Remove the top and place inside a desk drawer to hold small items, like paper clips, rubber bands, push pins, etc. Paint or decorate if you want to place it on a desktop where it will be seen.

Color Palette: Use cartons for watercolor or acrylic paints. Detach top of carton and use for mixing colors and storing paint brushes.

Cheap Ice Cube Trays: Use plastic egg cartons to make extra ice.

Cupcake Holder: Need a way to transport cupcakes to a party or to your childs school (do they even allow you to bring cupcakes to school anymore?)...Tuck them into an egg carton for safe travels!

Crafts: Cartons can be used for all kinds of crafting projects for kids and adults!

Thanks for checking in!